I use it between sets and to not accidentally pop the P.A. if unplugging, I like having it on ,on start up, it's very useful for me.
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Mesa Subway 800d pedal?
- Thread starter grocker
- Start date
I'd like to have 2 channels of gain/master controls, with a common EQ.
Could be labelled "normal / boost" like I did, of "channel 1" and "channel 2".
In my idea, the "gain" of the "boost" section would replace the normal gain when boost is active, then the "level" would allow setting the desired volume independantly from the gain, it could either replace the regular master control, or be placed somewhere before it.
The objective is to be able to set 2 different levels of gain and volume, wether I want the second sound to be used as a clean boost, or a more edgy/gritty sound with the same volume, or anything in between, if that make sense. Both circuits would go through the same tube preamp, like if you could memorize 2 gain/master settings of the same tube preamp, and alternate between them with a footswitch.
That would probably fulfill all my needs.
Yeah! I would want the boost section to apply real audible distortion too, not just a "bigger" sound. Being unable to deliver real in your face distortion is something I've been disappointed by with the Subway amps. I understand it's not something most players want but this would be a good way to do it without compromising the rest of the circuit.
That’s what I meant earlier by “GK-style” boost, thinking of the Legacy’s separate drive section. I’m not sure I’d want that for this preamp, personally. Since this product goes on a pedal board, there will always be room for a drive pedal as well. I like the way @gtirard described it better.
For sure, it has proven very unpopular anytime I've brought it up lol. A man can dream though right?
A product like this is exciting from a players perspective. To have a preamp, based on the 800D (Subway BD800), would be great.
But we have to look at it from a financial perspective. Would it be a profitable product? On the one hand, as someone mentioned earlier, the move to ampless stages and IEM performances would make you think so. How many units would have to sell for it to be considered feasible? At what price point would the unit actually sell? How many options could you include to make the unit attractive but not cross the projected price? What would you be willing to do without in order for this product to become a real item?
Personally, I could do without the boost if it would help but I would really like a high/low switch. I could probably also do without the voicing, since the 800D has so many "voicing" options.
If everyone starts asking for their personal favorite things to be added on, then the price quickly becomes too high to be reasonable. But no harm in tossing around ideas!
What I would like to see:
* A preamp based on the 800D (with the same functionality).
* An XLR out.
* A tuner out (but would not be a deal breaker at all).
* Maybe a mute switch like the 800D has (again, not a deal breaker).
* A boost circuit wouldn't be a bad option if it was economical.
A tube? Wouldn't matter to me IF they could come up with the same functionality as the current 800D.
What about the price? I would wild guess at $450 - $550 range. I would think $450 - $475 would be a real sweet spot where I wouldn't even think twice about buying it.
That's just my thoughts about such a product without giving it a ton of thought. Seems to me that Mesa Boogie bass products are at a very good place right now, thanks in no small part to @agedhorse and his expertise. A few months ago, when I was looking into a preamp to use in my music room (for connection to the PA) I just could find what I thought I was looking for. After playing the 800D, I think a preamp based on it would be a home run!
But we have to look at it from a financial perspective. Would it be a profitable product? On the one hand, as someone mentioned earlier, the move to ampless stages and IEM performances would make you think so. How many units would have to sell for it to be considered feasible? At what price point would the unit actually sell? How many options could you include to make the unit attractive but not cross the projected price? What would you be willing to do without in order for this product to become a real item?
Personally, I could do without the boost if it would help but I would really like a high/low switch. I could probably also do without the voicing, since the 800D has so many "voicing" options.
If everyone starts asking for their personal favorite things to be added on, then the price quickly becomes too high to be reasonable. But no harm in tossing around ideas!
What I would like to see:
* A preamp based on the 800D (with the same functionality).
* An XLR out.
* A tuner out (but would not be a deal breaker at all).
* Maybe a mute switch like the 800D has (again, not a deal breaker).
* A boost circuit wouldn't be a bad option if it was economical.
A tube? Wouldn't matter to me IF they could come up with the same functionality as the current 800D.
What about the price? I would wild guess at $450 - $550 range. I would think $450 - $475 would be a real sweet spot where I wouldn't even think twice about buying it.
That's just my thoughts about such a product without giving it a ton of thought. Seems to me that Mesa Boogie bass products are at a very good place right now, thanks in no small part to @agedhorse and his expertise. A few months ago, when I was looking into a preamp to use in my music room (for connection to the PA) I just could find what I thought I was looking for. After playing the 800D, I think a preamp based on it would be a home run!
Yes I agree, I don't need the voicing, needs vs wants. Don't need a boost in my case either but these are cool ideas,I'll take a box exactly like the 800d(BD800) I love the color tone, of the WD800 and still think that would be great with a deep switch as well.
I have the subway preamp and I really don’t get why these aren’t being made still. To me it’s the perfect medium between warm and edgy brightness. It can toe the waters on either side and sounds brilliant. It’s been the first thing to get the gk plex off my signal chain since I bought that years ago. They both are great pedals. Both basically discontinued. Mesa and gk both need to get back into the pedal game.
There's a preamp and DI in every 800D and WD800. Knobs on each are voicing. As a bonus, a great power section is included.
$550 for a preamp version? Work a few extra hours, save a bit more, or sell something to buy the total package, available today.
If only frogs had wings. .
It was asked in another thread (about an amp), and Agedhorse said it wasn't possible. I don't remember the exact words, but from what I understood, what makes these amps sound different can't fit in a few components, it's the whole architecture (at least the preamp section).
It's nice to have just the preamp, I play lots of no amp gigs. Toss it in my gig bag and I'm good.
I'm sure it would sell like hotcakes if the price was attractive, but under $500 it would be hard for Mesa to make it profitable (costs of R&D, certification, US wages etc.). Above $500, you're entering a niche market, with the risk of not selling enough units to achieve the necessary economies of scale if you want to make profits.
Agedhorse doesn't seem to follow this thread
, so I dare asking: maybe Mesa is worried that a preamp might cannibalize amp sales? But I could be completely wrong.
I was looking at this poll and voted for the 800D. After thinking about it I remember @agedhorse saying that some of the “vintage tube vibe” from the 800D is due to some tweaking he did to the power section. So basically, just the front half of the amp won’t give you the same thing you get from the full amp. It would require a redesign.
